james_davis_nicoll: (Default)
james_davis_nicoll ([personal profile] james_davis_nicoll) wrote2008-06-20 11:10 pm
  • Add Memory
  • Share This Entry

Question for the day

Why would someone make an oven mitt out of what turned out to be flammable materials?
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[identity profile] shsilver.livejournal.com 2008-06-23 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
A few years ago, when I worked for Crate and Barrel, they sold a Chanukah Menorah which would ignite if the candles burnt down to their base.

Since you aren't supposed to blow out Chanukah candles, they invariably burn down to the base.

The menorahs were quickly recalled.

[identity profile] james-nicoll.livejournal.com 2008-06-23 05:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Those little scented candles with the wick anchored on a metal base turn out to be little bombs if you let them burn down. The metal base heats up enough to ignite the wax directly and it is a bit of bother to extinguish the wax fire once it gets going.

The one time it happened to me, I had a faint memory that throwing water on a wax fire was a very bad idea (steam explosion scattering flaming wax, I think) so I smothered it with a pot. I guess kitty litter would have worked as well.

[identity profile] james-nicoll.livejournal.com 2008-06-23 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, a little googling shows that it is even worse than I thought. From wikipedia:

A wax fire is created when melted or boiling wax is doused in water. The following reaction creates a large fireball or enlarges the flame of the already existing fire incredibly. Only a small amount of wax and water is needed to create a wax fire.

I am torn between "Glad I didn't try that," and "Cool. I have to test that under safe conditions some time."
Flat | Top-Level Comments Only